FABI’s official opening, held on 16 January in the University of Pretoria’s Sanlam Auditorium, celebrated the Institute’s 25^th anniversary. Welcoming FABIans back from their holidays. FABI Director Prof. Bernard Slippers thanked everyone for their hard work and making the past 25 years a success saying “it’s about the small things everyone does that makes a big impact”.

University of Pretoria Vice Principal: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education, Prof. Sunil Maharaj congratulated FABI on its 25^th anniversary saying that it was a great achievement by an internationally-recognised institution. He challenged FABI to achieve the “next big thing” by identifying what are the “big game changers” in the coming years that will impact Africa. He also challenged FABI to continue to develop the next generation of researchers, growing them through mentoring by the current research leaders to also become leading researchers.

Reflecting on the Institute’s past 25 years, Prof. Slippers said that support from the Executive as well as industry and research partners had been crucial to FABI’s success and he accepted Prof. Maharaj’s challenge but that he also looked forward to a year with far less COVID-related challenges.

The formal opening was followed by the traditional FABI group photo followed by the opening breakfast in the FABI courtyard.